Eid journey to be challenging on district roads if rain continues

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader yesterday said journeys of homebound people for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha would be “most challenging on the district roads” if rain continues.

“I believe, there will be no problem on national and regional highways due to heavy and excessive rainfall, but we will face difficulties on district roads if the rain continues,” he said.

The minister made the remarks at a meeting with leaders of transport owners and workers associations, police and officials of Roads and Highways Department at BRTA headquarters in the capital.

He directed R&H department officials to repair roads before the damages go out of control.

“I don't want to hear that roads will be repaired after rainfall,” he said. “We need instant remedy.”

Observing that cattle-carrying trucks move slowly on roads, Quader requested truck owners to bring out fit vehicles to keep highways free from traffic congestion.

The minister also gave directives to stop running battery-run and slow moving vehicles on highways.

He praised the administration and police for monitoring roads during the last Eid-ul-Fitr, the keep them safe.

Three vigilance teams for three major bus terminals of Dhaka to ensure safe and hassle-free journey for holidaymakers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha were formed yesterday at the meeting.

The vigilance teams will operate at Gabtoli, Saidabad, and Mohakhali bus terminals to ensure safety measures for passengers, monitor vehicles so that they don't charge excess fares from passengers, carry extra passengers or overload goods.

The three teams will be led by three additional deputy police commissioners (traffic).

Another five-member team will monitor and supervise the three vigilance teams.

At the meeting, it was instructed not to set up any cattle market beside highways and to keep the intersection of roads free.